Salvia

Nothing else smells or tastes quite like Common Sage; put quite simply, the reason why it’s a definite requirement for the herb garden. Another Mediterranean plant, it puts up with our climate very well - a hardy evergreen perennial that prefers a warm, sunny free draining site and grows equally well in the ground or in pots and containers.

The range of Sages that can be used for culinary uses extends to a choice of narrow or broad, green, purple or golden leaves. In addition, Tricolor Sage has excellent culinary properties and a very attractive variegated leaf but is probably best described as half-hardy. Clary Sage is a hardy biennial, more commonly used for its medicinal properties and then there are the half hardy scented Sages: Blackcurrant, Pineapple and Tangerine, each with their own powerfully fragranced leaves that have to be rubbed and sniffed to be believed.

One more plant that is prone to turning woody if left alone, it’s best to trim it in the Spring and again after it finishes flowering.